Summer Book League Book Reviews: Part III

The Loyola Summer Book League is heading into the homestretch. Remember, there’s still time to join! Go to libraries.luc.edu/summerreading to enter the books you’ve read this summer! Here are a few reviews written by Loyola faculty and Staff to give you some inspiration if you’re still looking for summer reads.

Lydia Craig of the Graduate School and Research reviews The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Capturing the essence of naive, well-intentioned adolescence, with all its angst and damage, The Perks of Being a Wallflower rings true because of its painful honesty. We all can relate to the difficulty of learning “the rules”, and trying to understand an imperfect, unwelcoming society. Becoming an adult shouldn’t be as important as growing into a kind, educated, and self-aware individual, a point Chbosky makes subtly and with incredible finesse.

Marjorie Kruvand of the School of Communication reviews My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

This novel takes a nostalgic look at growing up in the post-World War II era in a working-class neighborhood near Naples, Italy. The author describes her childhood and adolescence through her experiences with her best friend, Lila, and her neighborhood pals and their families. The two girls share a tight bond even though it is sometimes strained by love, poverty, ambition and family rivalries. And although the girls take different paths, their relationship is the touchstone that enables both of them to grow and flourish.

Megan Canty of the School of Law reviews Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan

This memoir was gripping- it probably helps that the author is an investigative reporter. It recounts the story of the author’s struggle to be correctly diagnosed when she started to suffer from alarming neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Although it ends well, it is terrifying to follow the harrowing journey of a healthy, successful young woman who risked being permanently confined to a psychiatric ward if her illness had not not been diagnosed and treated.

Jennifer Gettings of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies reviews The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck

Published in 1942 as propaganda supporting the allies, The Moon is Down, resonated with those living in occupied territories and copies of the book were distributed under threat of death should anyone be found with a copy. Steinbeck’s fair portrayal of both occupied and occupier allows the reader to better understand what it is like to be placed in these situations regardless of time or circumstance. Although the writing is not his best, Steinbeck’s The Moon is Down is an excellent testament to how literature can be used to empower people with words

Joseph Saucedo of Student Life reviews The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin, SJ

This book is a must read not only for those of us working at a Jesuit institution, but for individuals seeking to understand Ignatian spirituality in a very accessible and practical way. Jesuit author, James Martin takes the reader on a journey that provides historical context about St. Ignatius of Loyola as well as challenges us to find God in all things and pursue greater fulfillment in life and in our relationships with others. This guide is not just for Catholics or readers with any particular religious affiliation. .

This entry was posted on July 16, 2014 at 11:00 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.